More Game of Thrones

According to Entertainment Weekly’s James Hibbberd, The Iron Islands subplot — one of the major plot points in George R.R. Martin’s fourth A Song of Ice and Fire novel, A Feast for Crows — has been omitted from the show’s upcoming fifth season.

The reason why? Here’s what Hibberd said:

An assumption among some readers of George R. R. Martin’s novels is the watery Iron Islands subplot will be explored. While the Dorne-based subplot will be in season five, producers have previously indicated the Iron Islands subplot has been omitted. This makes sense as the show already has so many characters and settings to juggle, plus is adding the Dorne scenes. Unlike in AFFC, where Martin could bench half his major characters to take on two major subplots, a TV series must stick with its cast members (and contractually has to use its actors or risk losing them).

Hibberd apparently added that he:

… asked the producers last season if they were doing Dorne and Iron Islands in season 5. They said they were doing one of them. Later they announced they were doing Dorne.

So for now, looks like the Game of Thrones producers have chosen to completely shelve the Iron Islands in favor of Dorne (which will see Ser Jaime Lannister heading there in what's a complete book departure) for the upcoming season.

Which means no death of Balon Greyjoy (as of now, Balon is still alive and kickin' in the TV series), no subsequent Kingsmoot plot (bummer!), no Aeron, Euron and Victarion Greyjoy (another! bummer!) — characters who, so far, have been totally absent from the show. It seems the trend of giving the Iron Islands short shrift on HBO's hit series will continue.

What do you guys think of the Game of Thrones producers’ decision to omit the Iron Islands storyline from season five? Do you believe we’ll see them in season six, or do you have a feeling this will be entirely cut from the TV series?